Automated emergency response

ABSTRACT

A method and system for automatically detecting a location is provided. The method includes receiving by a vehicle, data describing a specified geographical area of a collapsed structure. A received control signal enables control of the vehicle such that the vehicle initiates motion and navigates in a specified direction towards the specified geographical area and upon arriving at the specified geographical area, a size and a magnitude of the collapsed structure is determined via sensors of the vehicle. A center location of the collapsed structure is determined and the vehicle hovers above the center location. Geographical coordinates of the location above the center location are transmitted to a search and rescue system and the center location is scanned via ground penetrating radar. Open spaces within the collapsed structure are determined and scanned to locate living entities within the open spaces.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application claiming priority to Ser.No. 15/804,000 filed Nov. 6, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,533,858 issuedJan. 14, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a method for deploying avehicle for emergency response and in particular to a method andassociated system directing a vehicle to towards a damaged structure andlocating entities within the damaged structure.

BACKGROUND

Implementing rescue operations typically includes an inaccurate processwith little flexibility. Typical rescue operations are unable to locateindividuals that are not visible and typically involve an unreliableprocess that may be time consuming and require a large amount ofresources. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome atleast some of the deficiencies and limitations described herein above.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the invention provides a location detection methodcomprising: receiving, by a processor of a first vehicle, datadescribing a specified geographical area of a collapsed structure;receiving, by the processor, a control signal enabling control of thefirst vehicle such that the first vehicle initiates motion and navigatesin a specified direction towards the specified geographical area; uponarriving at the specified geographical area, determining by theprocessor via a plurality of sensors of the first vehicle, a size and amagnitude of the collapsed structure; determining, by the processor, acenter location of the collapsed structure;

maintaining, by the processor, the first vehicle at a location above thecenter location of the collapsed structure; transmitting, by theprocessor to a search and rescue system, geographical coordinates of thelocation above the center location of the collapsed structure;

first scanning, by the processor via a ground penetrating radar deviceof the first vehicle, the center location of the collapsed structure;determining, by the processor in response to results of the firstscanning, open spaces within the collapsed structure; second scanning,by the processor via a thermal imaging device of the first vehicle, theopen spaces within the collapsed structure; and

determining, by the processor in response to results of the secondscanning, living entities located within the open spaces of thecollapsed structure.

A second aspect of the invention provides a computer program product,comprising a computer readable hardware storage device storing acomputer readable program code, the computer readable program codecomprising an algorithm that when executed by a processor of a firstvehicle implements a location detection method, the method comprising:receiving, by the processor, data describing a specified geographicalarea of a collapsed structure; receiving, by the processor, a controlsignal enabling control of the first vehicle such that the first vehicleinitiates motion and navigates in a specified direction towards thespecified geographical area; upon arriving at the specified geographicalarea, determining by the processor via a plurality of sensors of thefirst vehicle, a size and a magnitude of the collapsed structure;determining, by the processor, a center location of the collapsedstructure; maintaining, by the processor, the first vehicle at alocation above the center location of the collapsed structure;transmitting, by the processor to a search and rescue system,geographical coordinates of the location above the center location ofthe collapsed structure; first scanning, by the processor via a groundpenetrating radar device of the first vehicle, the center location ofthe collapsed structure; determining, by the processor in response toresults of the first scanning, open spaces within the collapsedstructure; second scanning, by the processor via a thermal imagingdevice of the first vehicle, the open spaces within the collapsedstructure; and determining, by the processor in response to results ofthe second scanning, living entities located within the open spaces ofthe collapsed structure.

A third aspect of the invention provides a first vehicle comprising aprocessor coupled to a computer-readable memory unit, the memory unitcomprising instructions that when executed by the processor executes alocation detection method comprising: receiving, by the processor, datadescribing a specified geographical area of a collapsed structure;receiving, by the processor, a control signal enabling control of thefirst vehicle such that the first vehicle initiates motion and navigatesin a specified direction towards the specified geographical area;

upon arriving at the specified geographical area, determining by theprocessor via a plurality of sensors of the first vehicle, a size and amagnitude of the collapsed structure; determining, by the processor, acenter location of the collapsed structure; maintaining, by theprocessor, the first vehicle at a location above the center location ofthe collapsed structure; transmitting, by the processor to a search andrescue system, geographical coordinates of the location above the centerlocation of the collapsed structure; first scanning, by the processorvia a ground penetrating radar device of the first vehicle, the centerlocation of the collapsed structure;

determining, by the processor in response to results of the firstscanning, open spaces within the collapsed structure; second scanning,by the processor via a thermal imaging device of the first vehicle, theopen spaces within the collapsed structure; and determining, by theprocessor in response to results of the second scanning, living entitieslocated within the open spaces of the collapsed structure.

The present invention advantageously provides a simple method andassociated system capable of implementing rescue operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for enabling a vehicular communicationsystem for deployment with respect to locating entities located within acollapsed structure, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system comprising a vehicle enabled to navigate toa geographical area for a search and rescue operation associated with aliving entity within a collapsed structure, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a GUI for presenting results of the scanning processdescribed in FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an algorithm detailing a process flow enabled by thesystem of FIG. 1 for enabling a vehicular communication system fordeployment with respect to locating entities located within a collapsedstructure, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system used by or comprised by the systemof FIG. 1 for enabling a vehicular communication system for deploymentwith respect to locating entities located within a collapsed structure,in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for enabling a vehicular communicationsystem for deployment with respect to locating entities located within acollapsed structure thereby assisting emergency responder rescues, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. A collapsedstructure may include, inter alia, a building, a bridge, etc. System 100enables a process for automated control of vehicles 114 a . . . 114 nequipped with control hardware 119 a . . . 119 n (i.e., including aglobal position satellite (GPS) system) and sensor devices 117 a . . .117 n (i.e., including, inter alia, a thermal imaging apparatus, opticaland vibrational sensors, ground penetrating radar (GPR) for locating anddifferentiating between living entities (e.g., humans or any type ofmammal or living being) and other inanimate objects. Additionally,system 1000 enables a process for determining open spaces within and thecollapsed structure and a stability of the collapsed structure. System100 is enabled to: derive a mathematical model to determine an optimalmethod of extraction and rescue of trapped entities; and display a heatmap (e.g., via the graphical user interface (GUI) 300 FIG. 3)identifying a visual topography of the collapsed structure to identifytrapped entities.

System 100 of FIG. 1 includes a controller 15 and a search and rescuesystem in communication with vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n (comprisingsensor devices 117 a . . . 117 n such as, inter alia, a video camera,optical sensors, a thermal imaging apparatus/sensor, optical andvibrational sensors, ground penetrating radar (GPR), etc. and controlhardware 119 a . . . 119 n comprising a GPS system or sensors sensordevices such as, inter alia, an optical sensor, a GPS sensor, etc.) viaa wireless network 118. Vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n (i.e., controlhardware 119 a . . . 119 n and sensor devices 117 a . . . 117 n internalto vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n) and controller 15 (i.e., control hardware19) each may comprise an embedded computer. An embedded computer isdefined herein as a remotely portable dedicated computer comprising acombination of computer hardware and software (fixed in capability orprogrammable) specifically designed for executing a specializedfunction. Programmable embedded computers may comprise specializedprogramming interfaces. Additionally, vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n (i.e.,control hardware 119 a . . . 119 n and sensor devices 117 a . . . 117 ninternal to vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n vehicles) and control vehicle 15(i.e., control hardware 19) may each comprise a specialized hardwaredevice comprising specialized (non-generic) hardware and circuitry(i.e., specialized discrete non-generic analog, digital, and logic basedcircuitry) for executing a process described with respect to FIGS. 1-5.The specialized discrete non-generic analog, digital, and logic basedcircuitry may include proprietary specially designed components (e.g., aspecialized integrated circuit, such as for example an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) designed for only implementing anautomated process for enabling a vehicular communication system fordeployment with respect to locating entities located within a collapsedstructure thereby assisting emergency responder rescues. Control vehicle15 includes a memory system 8, software 17, and control hardware 19 (allsensors and associated control hardware for enabling software 17 toexecute a process for automatically enabling a vehicular communicationsystem for deployment with respect to locating entities located within acollapsed structure thereby assisting emergency responder rescues).Control hardware 19 may include sensors. Sensors may include, interalia, GPS sensors, video recording devices, optical sensors, weightsensors, etc. Additionally, control hardware 19 may include a batterycharging station for recharging batteries of vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n.The memory system 8 may include a single memory system. Alternatively,the memory system may include a plurality of memory systems. Each ofvehicles 114 a . . . 114 n may comprise any vehicle that does notrequire a human operator to be located within the vehicles 114 a . . .114 n such as, inter alia, a remote controlled vehicle (e.g., anaircraft flown by a pilot at a ground control station), an autonomouslycontrolled vehicle (e.g., an aircraft controlled based on pre-programmedflight plans and may include an intelligence algorithm that would enablevehicles 114 a . . . 114 n to know it's location and self-determine aroute to a collapsed structure), a pre-programmed vehicle, etc.Alternatively, vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n may comprise any type ofvehicle that includes a human operator located within the vehicle (e.g.,an aircraft, an automobile, a boat or ship, a train, etc.). Vehicles 114a . . . 114 n may include, inter alia, an aerial vehicle, a land basedvehicle, a marine (water) based vehicle, etc.

System 100 utilizes vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n to:

1. Locate living entities trapped by debris in a collapsed structure.For example, a structure may have been damaged or collapsed by anearthquake.

2. Determine a scope (in size, shape, and/or magnitude) of the collapsedstructure.

3. Coordinate a group of vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n via a mappingprocess to conduct search and rescue operations utilizing GPS, thermalimaging, and GPR processes for locating and identifying entities forrescue.

Vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n are integrated with:

1. GPR devices for differentiating between living entities and inanimateobject.

2. Thermal imaging devices for detecting a body temperature of theliving entities.

3. Optical and vibrational sensors for determining a stability of acollapsed structure.

System 100 enables:

1. Network communications for communications with a GUI for presenting avisual topology presentation of the collapsed structure with respect toa heat map to identify the living entities.

2. Mathematical modeling software (e.g., hard coded into controller 15)for determining an optimal method for extraction and rescue of livingentities.

3. An alert system for determining vehicle replacement.

Vehicle 114 comprises control hardware 119 and sensor devices 117 . . .117 n . . . 114 n (i.e., an aerial vehicle) and controller 15 therebyenabling vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n to locate living entities trappedwithin a collapsed structure as follows:

Controller 15 determines (based on sensed and received information) thata building has collapsed due to an earthquake. In response, controller15 deploys (via GPS) vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n to an area surroundingthe collapsed building. Upon arrival to the collapsed building a leadvehicle (of vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n) determines (via sensors) a sizeand magnitude of the collapsed building and calculates a center point onthe collapse. The lead vehicle hovers over the center point andbroadcasts the associated GPS coordinates and coverage area. Likewiseall additional vehicle of vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n are deployed acrossthe coverage area from the center point outward such that all areas inthe coverage area are covered for detection. In response, each ofvehicles 114 a . . . 114 n scans an associated coverage area via usageof:

1. GPR to determine open spaces within the collapsed building.

2. A thermal imaging device to determine a location and health oftrapped living entities.

3. Optical and vibrational sensors to determine potential stablepathways for emergency responders. Additionally, the optical andvibrational sensors are configured to determine potential shifting areas(within the collapsed building) that could continue to collapse further.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system 200 comprising a vehicle 214 enabled tonavigate to a geographical area 202 for a search and rescue operationassociated with a living entity within a collapsed structure 215, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. Vehicle 114comprises control hardware 119 and sensor devices 117. Theaforementioned process described with respect to FIG. 1 enables vehicle214 to hover over a center point of collapsed structure 215 to scan for:

1. Open spaces within the structure 215.

2. A location and health of trapped living entities.

3. Potential stable pathways for emergency responders.

FIG. 3 illustrates a GUI 300 for presenting results of the scanningprocess described in FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. GUI 300 presents a vehicle deployment map 302(presenting vehicles 302 a . . . 302 n), a GPR map 310 illustratingdifferences between living entities and inanimate objects, a thermalimaging map 304 to determine trapped entities, a number of survivors pereach determined rescue route 306, and optimal recue routes 308 forextracting living entities.

FIG. 4 illustrates an algorithm detailing a process flow enabled bysystem 100 of FIG. 1 for enabling a vehicular communication system fordeployment with respect to locating entities located within a collapsedstructure, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Eachof the steps in the algorithm of FIG. 4 may be enabled and executed inany order by a computer processor(s) or any type of specialized hardwareexecuting computer code. In step 400, data describing a specifiedgeographical area of a collapsed structure is received by a vehicle. Instep 401, a control signal enabling control of the vehicle is receivedsuch that the vehicle initiates motion and navigates in a specifieddirection towards the specified geographical area. In step 404, a sizeand a magnitude of the collapsed structure is determined (upon arrivingat the specified geographical area) via a plurality of sensors of thevehicle. In step 404, a center location of the collapsed structure islocated. In step 408, the vehicle is directed to hover at a locationabove the center location of the collapsed structure. In step 410,geographical coordinates of the location above the center location ofthe collapsed structure are transmitted to a search and rescue system.Additionally, the center location is scanned via a ground penetratingradar device of the vehicle. In step 414, open spaces within thecollapsed structure are determined and scanned via a thermal imagingdevice. In step 418, living entities located within the open spaces ofthe collapsed structure are determined based on results of steps 410 and414. In step 420, the collapsed structure is scanned via optical sensorsand vibrational sensors of the vehicle and stable pathways for accessingthe open spaces within the collapsed structure are determined.Additionally, geographical coordinates of the living entities locatedwithin the open spaces of the collapsed structure and geographicalcoordinates of the stable pathways are transmitted to search and rescuesystem. In step 424, a first pathway of the stable pathways isdetermined. The first pathway is associated with a shortest timeframe(with respect to all other pathways of the stable pathways) foraccessing the living entities located within open spaces within thecollapsed structure. Coordinates of the first pathway are transmitted tothe search and rescue system. The search and rescue system may present(via a GUI) images of: the open spaces within the collapsed structure;the living entities located within the open spaces of the collapsedstructure; and the first pathway via a two dimensional image and/or athree dimensional image of the GUI. In step 428, additional stablepathways are determined and presented by the vehicle via the processdescribed with respect to steps 410-424. In step 432, additionalvehicles are deployed for determining additional living entities withinadditional open spaces within the collapsed structure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 90 (e.g., controller vehicle 15(i.e., control hardware 19 internal to controller vehicle 15) andvehicles 114 a . . . 114 n (i.e., control hardware 119 a . . . 119 n andsensors 117 a . . . 117 n internal to vehicles 114 a . . . 114 n) usedby or comprised by the system of FIG. 1 for enabling a vehicularcommunication system for deployment with respect to locating entitieslocated within a collapsed structure, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention.

Aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, microcode, etc.) or an embodiment combiningsoftware and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred toherein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.”

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing apparatus receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, device(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing device to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing device, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing device, and/or other devicesto function in a particular manner, such that the computer readablestorage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an articleof manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of thefunction/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing device, or other device tocause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable device or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable device, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The computer system 90 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a processor 91, aninput device 92 coupled to the processor 91, an output device 93 coupledto the processor 91, and memory devices 94 and 95 each coupled to theprocessor 91. The input device 92 may be, inter alia, a keyboard, amouse, a camera, a touchscreen, etc. The output device 93 may be, interalia, a printer, a plotter, a computer screen, a magnetic tape, aremovable hard disk, a floppy disk, etc. The memory devices 94 and 95may be, inter alia, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, anoptical storage such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital video disc(DVD), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a read-only memory (ROM),etc. The memory device 95 includes a computer code 97. The computer code97 includes algorithms (e.g., the algorithm of FIG. 4) for enabling avehicular communication system for deployment with respect to locatingentities located within a collapsed structure. The processor 91 executesthe computer code 97. The memory device 94 includes input data 96. Theinput data 96 includes input required by the computer code 97. Theoutput device 93 displays output from the computer code 97. Either orboth memory devices 94 and 95 (or one or more additional memory devicessuch as read only memory device 96) may include algorithms (e.g., thealgorithm of FIG. 4) and may be used as a computer usable medium (or acomputer readable medium or a program storage device) having a computerreadable program code embodied therein and/or having other data storedtherein, wherein the computer readable program code includes thecomputer code 97. Generally, a computer program product (or,alternatively, an article of manufacture) of the computer system 90 mayinclude the computer usable medium (or the program storage device).

In some embodiments, rather than being stored and accessed from a harddrive, optical disc or other writeable, rewriteable, or removablehardware memory device 95, stored computer program code 84 (e.g.,including an algorithm) may be stored on a static, nonremovable,read-only storage medium such as a Read-Only Memory (ROM) device 85, ormay be accessed by processor 91 directly from such a static,nonremovable, read-only medium 85. Similarly, in some embodiments,stored computer program code 97 may be stored as computer-readablefirmware 85, or may be accessed by processor 91 directly from suchfirmware 85, rather than from a more dynamic or removable hardwaredata-storage device 95, such as a hard drive or optical disc.

Still yet, any of the components of the present invention could becreated, integrated, hosted, maintained, deployed, managed, serviced,etc. by a service supplier who offers to enable a vehicularcommunication system for deployment with respect to locating entitieslocated within a collapsed structure. Thus, the present inventiondiscloses a process for deploying, creating, integrating, hosting,maintaining, and/or integrating computing infrastructure, includingintegrating computer-readable code into the computer system 90, whereinthe code in combination with the computer system 90 is capable ofperforming a method for enabling a vehicular communication system fordeployment with respect to locating entities located within a collapsedstructure. In another embodiment, the invention provides a businessmethod that performs the process steps of the invention on asubscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a servicesupplier, such as a Solution Integrator, could offer to enable avehicular communication system for deployment with respect to locatingentities located within a collapsed structure. In this case, the servicesupplier can create, maintain, support, etc. a computer infrastructurethat performs the process steps of the invention for one or morecustomers. In return, the service supplier can receive payment from thecustomer(s) under a subscription and/or fee agreement and/or the servicesupplier can receive payment from the sale of advertising content to oneor more third parties. While FIG. 5 shows the computer system 90 as aparticular configuration of hardware and software, any configuration ofhardware and software, as would be known to a person of ordinary skillin the art, may be utilized for the purposes stated supra in conjunctionwith the particular computer system 90 of FIG. 5. For example, thememory devices 94 and 95 may be portions of a single memory devicerather than separate memory devices.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinfor purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claimsare intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A location detection method comprising:receiving, by a processor of a first vehicle, a control signal enablingcontrol of said first vehicle such that said first vehicle initiatesmotion and navigates in a specified direction towards a specifiedgeographical area of a collapsed structure; upon arriving at saidspecified geographical area, determining by said processor via aplurality of sensors of said first vehicle, a size, shape, and amagnitude of said collapsed structure; maintaining, by said processor,said first vehicle at a location above a center location of saidcollapsed structure; transmitting, by said processor to a search andrescue system, geographical coordinates of said location above saidcenter location of said collapsed structure; first scanning, by saidprocessor via a ground penetrating radar device of said first vehicle,said center location of said collapsed structure; determining, by saidprocessor in response to results of said first scanning, open spaceswithin said collapsed structure; differentiating, by said processor inresponse to said first results, between living entities and inanimateobjects located within said collapsed structure; second scanning, bysaid processor via a thermal imaging device of said first vehicle, saidopen spaces within said collapsed structure; determining, by saidprocessor in response to results of said second scanning, a bodytemperature of said living entities located within said open spaces ofsaid collapsed structure; determining, by said processor in response toresults of said second scanning, a health condition of said livingentities located within said open spaces of said collapsed structure;presenting, by said processor via a two dimensional image of a graphicaluser interface, heat map images identifying a visual topology of saidcollapsed structure, and wherein said heat map images present openspaces within said collapsed structure, said living entities locatedwithin said open spaces of said collapsed structure; and a pathwaywithin said collapsed structure; determining, by said processor based onsaid heat map images and said magnitude of said collapsed structure, astability of said collapsed structure; detecting, by said processorbased on sensor retrieved data, potential shifting areas within saidcollapsed structure that may continue to further collapse; andpresenting, by said processor via said graphical user interface, avehicle deployment map presenting said first vehicle and a groupvehicles, a ground penetrating radar map illustrating differencesbetween said living entities and said inanimate objects, a thermalimaging map to determine trapped entities, a number of survivors pereach determined rescue route, and optimal rescue routes, determined withrespect to said stability of said collapsed structure and said potentialshifting areas, for extracting said living entities based on said healthcondition of said living entities located within said open spaces ofsaid collapsed structure.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:third scanning, by said processor via optical sensors and vibrationalsensors and of said first vehicle, said collapsed structure;determining, by said processor in response to results of said thirdscanning, stable pathways for accessing said open spaces within saidcollapsed structure; and transmitting, by said processor to said searchand rescue system, geographical coordinates of said living entitieslocated within said open spaces of said collapsed structure andgeographical coordinates of said stable pathways.
 3. The method of claim2, further comprising: determining, by said processor in response toresults of said third scanning, a first pathway of said stable pathways,wherein said first pathway is associated with a shortest timeframe, withrespect to all other pathways of said stable pathways, for accessingsaid living entities located within said open spaces within saidcollapsed structure; and transmitting, by said processor to said searchand rescue system, geographical coordinates of said first pathway. 4.The method of claim 3, further comprising: determining, by saidprocessor in response to results of said third scanning, multipleadditional pathways of said stable pathways, wherein said multipleadditional pathways are associated with shortest timeframes, withrespect to all further pathways of said stable pathways, for accessingsaid living entities located within said open spaces within saidcollapsed structure; and transmitting, by said processor to said searchand rescue system, geographical coordinates of said multiple additionalpathways, wherein said search and rescue system further presents imagesof said multiple additional pathways via said two dimensional image ofsaid graphical user interface.
 5. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising: transmitting, by said processor to a plurality of additionalvehicles, said geographical coordinates of said location above saidcenter location of said collapsed structure; directing, by saidprocessor, said plurality of additional vehicles in a specifieddirection towards said location above said center location of saidcollapsed structure; directing, by said processor, said plurality ofadditional vehicles to locations surrounding said location above saidcenter location of said collapsed structure; maintaining, by saidprocessor, said plurality of additional vehicles at said locationssurrounding said location above said center location of said collapsedstructure; fourth scanning, by said processor via ground penetratingradar devices of said plurality of additional vehicles, said locationssurrounding said location above said center location of said collapsedstructure; determining, by said processor in response to results of saidfourth scanning, said open spaces within said collapsed structure; fifthscanning, by said processor via thermal imaging devices of saidadditional vehicles, said open spaces within said collapsed structure;and determining, by said processor in response to results of said fifthscanning, said living entities located within said open spaces of saidcollapsed structure; sixth scanning, by said processor via opticalsensors and vibrational sensors and of said additional vehicles, saidcollapsed structure; determining, by said processor in response toresults of said sixth scanning, said stable pathways for accessing saidopen spaces within said collapsed structure; and transmitting, by saidprocessor to said search and rescue system, data indicating said livingentities located within said open spaces of said collapsed structure andsaid stable pathways.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein said search andrescue system presents images of: said open spaces within said collapsedstructure, said living entities located within said open spaces of saidcollapsed structure; and stable pathways via a three dimensional imageof said graphical user interface.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: providing at least one support service for at least one ofcreating, integrating, hosting, maintaining, and deployingcomputer-readable code in the control hardware, said code being executedby the computer processor to implement: said retrieving said controlsignal, said determining said size and said magnitude, said maintaining,said transmitting, said first scanning, said determining said openspaces, and said determining said living entities.
 8. A computer programproduct, comprising a computer readable hardware storage device storinga computer readable program code, said computer readable program codecomprising an algorithm that when executed by a processor of a firstvehicle implements a location detection method, said method comprising:receiving, by said processor, a control signal enabling control of saidfirst vehicle such that said first vehicle initiates motion andnavigates in a specified direction towards a specified geographical areaof a collapsed structure; upon arriving at said specified geographicalarea, determining by said processor via a plurality of sensors of saidfirst vehicle, a size, shape, and a magnitude of said collapsedstructure; maintaining, by said processor, said first vehicle at alocation above a center location of said collapsed structure;transmitting, by said processor to a search and rescue system,geographical coordinates of said location above said center location ofsaid collapsed structure; first scanning, by said processor via a groundpenetrating radar device of said first vehicle, said center location ofsaid collapsed structure; determining, by said processor in response toresults of said first scanning, open spaces within said collapsedstructure; differentiating, by said processor in response to said firstresults, between living entities and inanimate objects located withinsaid collapsed structure; second scanning, by said processor via athermal imaging device of said first vehicle, said open spaces withinsaid collapsed structure; determining, by said processor in response toresults of said second scanning, a body temperature of said livingentities located within said open spaces of said collapsed structure;determining, by said processor in response to results of said secondscanning, a health condition of said living entities located within saidopen spaces of said collapsed structure; presenting, by said processorvia a two dimensional image of a graphical user interface, heat mapimages identifying a visual topology of said collapsed structure, andwherein said heat map images present open spaces within said collapsedstructure, said living entities located within said open spaces of saidcollapsed structure; and a pathway within said collapsed structure;determining, by said processor based on said heat map images and saidmagnitude of said collapsed structure, a stability of said collapsedstructure; detecting, by said processor based on sensor retrieved data,potential shifting areas within said collapsed structure that maycontinue to further collapse; and presenting, by said processor via saidgraphical user interface, a vehicle deployment map presenting said firstvehicle and a group vehicles, a ground penetrating radar mapillustrating differences between said living entities and said inanimateobjects, a thermal imaging map to determine trapped entities, a numberof survivors per each determined rescue route, and optimal rescueroutes, determined with respect to said stability of said collapsedstructure and said potential shifting areas, for extracting said livingentities based on said health condition of said living entities locatedwithin said open spaces of said collapsed structure.
 9. The computerprogram product of claim 8, wherein said method further comprises: thirdscanning, by said processor via optical sensors and vibrational sensorsand of said first vehicle, said collapsed structure; determining, bysaid processor in response to results of said third scanning, stablepathways for accessing said open spaces within said collapsed structure;and transmitting, by said processor to said search and rescue system,geographical coordinates of said living entities located within saidopen spaces of said collapsed structure and geographical coordinates ofsaid stable pathways.
 10. The computer program product of claim 9,wherein said method further comprises: determining, by said processor inresponse to results of said third scanning, a first pathway of saidstable pathways, wherein said first pathway is associated with ashortest timeframe, with respect to all other pathways of said stablepathways, for accessing said living entities located within said openspaces within said collapsed structure; and transmitting, by saidprocessor to said search and rescue system, geographical coordinates ofsaid first pathway.
 11. The computer program product of claim 10,wherein said method further comprises: determining, by said processor inresponse to results of said third scanning, multiple additional pathwaysof said stable pathways, wherein said multiple additional pathways areassociated with shortest timeframes, with respect to all furtherpathways of said stable pathways, for accessing said living entitieslocated within said open spaces within said collapsed structure; andtransmitting, by said processor to said search and rescue system,geographical coordinates of said multiple additional pathways, whereinsaid search and rescue system further presents images of said multipleadditional pathways via said two dimensional image of said graphicaluser interface.
 12. The computer program product of claim 10, whereinsaid method further comprises: transmitting, by said processor to aplurality of additional vehicles, said geographical coordinates of saidlocation above said center location of said collapsed structure;directing, by said processor, said plurality of additional vehicles in aspecified direction towards said location above said center location ofsaid collapsed structure; directing, by said processor, said pluralityof additional vehicles to locations surrounding said location above saidcenter location of said collapsed structure; maintaining, by saidprocessor, said plurality of additional vehicles at said locationssurrounding said location above said center location of said collapsedstructure; fourth scanning, by said processor via ground penetratingradar devices of said plurality of additional vehicles, said locationssurrounding said location above said center location of said collapsedstructure; determining, by said processor in response to results of saidfourth scanning, said open spaces within said collapsed structure; fifthscanning, by said processor via thermal imaging devices of saidadditional vehicles, said open spaces within said collapsed structure;and determining, by said processor in response to results of said fifthscanning, said living entities located within said open spaces of saidcollapsed structure; sixth scanning, by said processor via opticalsensors and vibrational sensors and of said additional vehicles, saidcollapsed structure; determining, by said processor in response toresults of said sixth scanning, said stable pathways for accessing saidopen spaces within said collapsed structure; and transmitting, by saidprocessor to said search and rescue system, data indicating said livingentities located within said open spaces of said collapsed structure andsaid stable pathways.
 13. The computer program product of claim 10,wherein said method further comprises: wherein said search and rescuesystem presents images of: said open spaces within said collapsedstructure, said living entities located within said open spaces of saidcollapsed structure; and stable pathways via a three dimensional imageof said graphical user interface.
 14. A first vehicle comprising aprocessor coupled to a computer-readable memory unit, said memory unitcomprising instructions that when executed by the processor executes alocation detection method comprising: receiving, by said processor, acontrol signal enabling control of said first vehicle such that saidfirst vehicle initiates motion and navigates in a specified directiontowards a specified geographical area of a collapsed structure; uponarriving at said specified geographical area, determining by saidprocessor via a plurality of sensors of said first vehicle, a size,shape, and a magnitude of said collapsed structure; maintaining, by saidprocessor, said first vehicle at a location above a center location ofsaid collapsed structure; transmitting, by said processor to a searchand rescue system, geographical coordinates of said location above saidcenter location of said collapsed structure; first scanning, by saidprocessor via a ground penetrating radar device of said first vehicle,said center location of said collapsed structure; determining, by saidprocessor in response to results of said first scanning, open spaceswithin said collapsed structure; differentiating, by said processor inresponse to said first results, between living entities and inanimateobjects located within said collapsed structure; second scanning, bysaid processor via a thermal imaging device of said first vehicle, saidopen spaces within said collapsed structure; determining, by saidprocessor in response to results of said second scanning, a bodytemperature of said living entities located within said open spaces ofsaid collapsed structure; determining, by said processor in response toresults of said second scanning, a health condition of said livingentities located within said open spaces of said collapsed structure;presenting, by said processor via a two dimensional image of a graphicaluser interface, heat map images identifying a visual topology of saidcollapsed structure, and wherein said heat map images present openspaces within said collapsed structure, said living entities locatedwithin said open spaces of said collapsed structure; and a pathwaywithin said collapsed structure; determining, by said processor based onsaid heat map images and said magnitude of said collapsed structure, astability of said collapsed structure; detecting, by said processorbased on sensor retrieved data, potential shifting areas within saidcollapsed structure that may continue to further collapse; andpresenting, by said processor via said graphical user interface, avehicle deployment map presenting said first vehicle and a groupvehicles, a ground penetrating radar map illustrating differencesbetween said living entities and said inanimate objects, a thermalimaging map to determine trapped entities, a number of survivors pereach determined rescue route, and optimal rescue routes, determined withrespect to said stability of said collapsed structure and said potentialshifting areas, for extracting said living entities based on said healthcondition of said living entities located within said open spaces ofsaid collapsed structure.
 15. The first vehicle of claim 14, whereinsaid method further comprises: third scanning, by said processor viaoptical sensors and vibrational sensors and of said first vehicle, saidcollapsed structure; determining, by said processor in response toresults of said third scanning, stable pathways for accessing said openspaces within said collapsed structure; and transmitting, by saidprocessor to said search and rescue system, geographical coordinates ofsaid living entities located within said open spaces of said collapsedstructure and geographical coordinates of said stable pathways.
 16. Thefirst vehicle of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:determining, by said processor in response to results of said thirdscanning, a first pathway of said stable pathways, wherein said firstpathway is associated with a shortest timeframe, with respect to allother pathways of said stable pathways, for accessing said livingentities located within said open spaces within said collapsedstructure; and transmitting, by said processor to said search and rescuesystem, geographical coordinates of said first pathway.
 17. The firstvehicle of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises: determining,by said processor in response to results of said third scanning,multiple additional pathways of said stable pathways, wherein saidmultiple additional pathways are associated with shortest timeframes,with respect to all further pathways of said stable pathways, foraccessing said living entities located within said open spaces withinsaid collapsed structure; and transmitting, by said processor to saidsearch and rescue system, geographical coordinates of said multipleadditional pathways, wherein said search and rescue system furtherpresents images of said multiple additional pathways via said twodimensional image of said graphical user interface.
 18. The firstvehicle of claim 15, wherein said method further comprises:transmitting, by said processor to a plurality of additional vehicles,said geographical coordinates of said location above said centerlocation of said collapsed structure; directing, by said processor, saidplurality of additional vehicles in a specified direction towards saidlocation above said center location of said collapsed structure;directing, by said processor, said plurality of additional vehicles tolocations surrounding said location above said center location of saidcollapsed structure; maintaining, by said processor, said plurality ofadditional vehicles at said locations surrounding said location abovesaid center location of said collapsed structure; fourth scanning, bysaid processor via ground penetrating radar devices of said plurality ofadditional vehicles, said locations surrounding said location above saidcenter location of said collapsed structure; determining, by saidprocessor in response to results of said fourth scanning, said openspaces within said collapsed structure; fifth scanning, by saidprocessor via thermal imaging devices of said additional vehicles, saidopen spaces within said collapsed structure; and determining, by saidprocessor in response to results of said fifth scanning, said livingentities located within said open spaces of said collapsed structure;sixth scanning, by said processor via optical sensors and vibrationalsensors and of said additional vehicles, said collapsed structure;determining, by said processor in response to results of said sixthscanning, said stable pathways for accessing said open spaces withinsaid collapsed structure; and transmitting, by said processor to saidsearch and rescue system, data indicating said living entities locatedwithin said open spaces of said collapsed structure and said stablepathways.
 19. The first vehicle of claim 15, wherein said method furthercomprises: wherein said search and rescue system presents images of:said open spaces within said collapsed structure, said living entitieslocated within said open spaces of said collapsed structure; and stablepathways via a three dimensional image of said graphical user interface.